~Journal # 9 (NETS-T I,II,V): Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Go Paperless?~

Smith, V, & Evans, E. (2011). Learning and Leading with Technology. Point/Counterpoint: Should Schools Go Paperless?, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_Schools_Go_Paperless.aspx

Going paperless can prove to be helpful as well as destructive. There are 2 ways to manage the world and even though we live in a world full of technology; we still manage to produce more paper then when computers hadn't existed. It's funny to think that we have created more of a nuisance with printing and money wasting then we have before with just handwriting. Computers can become important because we have a source of digitally transferring knowledge and saving on natural resources in our environment. On the other hand, how does it affect students,teachers and others if we allow the computer to do all our work and we lose our natural ability to write free-hand? There are benefits and losses to choosing either style of preservation. We are evolving at such a fast pace we forget that we may lose some abilities along the way while gaining other abilities. Maybe we will all become computer savvy but lack in writing letters and spelling because of the integration of computers in managing our information. If we think deeper in to the matter, paper can always be recycled and no matter what method we choose; we ultimately, will be paying money on one end or the other. There will always be that fear of "if technology fails us and crashes; what else can we depend on?" Our writing is important to keep documents and information that we feel safe with that we can take care of and can predict, but what if a fire hits and destroys all documents? What do we do then? Ultimately, our personal fears of technology should be just as prominent as a fire hitting our house which chances can be slimmer or greater depending on how we take care of our resource tools.

Q1: Do we produce more paper now then we did before when computers did not exist?

A1: Unfortunately, we do produce and waste more paper now then we used to when computers did not exist. With printing in circulation and etc. we are more inclined to waste paper. It is getting easier over time as things become digitally accepted or passed around but it does not stop our need to have something physical within our hands.

Q2: What is the greatest fear most people have about technology replacing paper copies?

A2: The fear of having nothing to look at or keep safe can be daunting for most people. If there isn't a copy we have to depend on technology which is likely to crash, get viruses or alter our data/information. People are more inclined to trust their own written work they can physically hold then to look at a screen at watch it possibley disappear.